Best schools in Flintshire: how they compare

Flintshire has 82 open schools - 64 primary and 11 secondary among them - teaching about 21,813 pupils. 7% teach through Welsh or in both languages, and 2 are in Estyn follow-up. Here is every school side by side, with what Estyn found when it last visited.

Why there is no league table in Wales

Wales stopped publishing school performance tables, and since September 2022 Estyn, the schools inspectorate, no longer sums a school up in one word like "Excellent" or "Good". Each report describes what pupils learn, how well they are taught and what the school should do next. So a ranking of the best schools in Flintshire would rest on someone's opinion, not published data. What you can compare is set out below: whether Estyn has asked a school to improve, what its latest report says, the language your child would be taught in, and the kind of intake each school has.

Estyn follow-up

2 of 82 schools are in follow-up; Estyn returns to check their progress.

No follow-up80 (98%)
Special measures2 (2%)

Source: Estyn inspection reports

Language of teaching

7% Welsh-medium or dual language in Flintshire, against 30% across Wales.

Welsh-medium6 (7%)
English-medium69 (84%)
Not recorded7 (9%)

Source: Welsh Government school data

Schools by stage in Flintshire

Click a stage to filter the list below.

Primary64
Secondary11
Special2

Flintshire against Wales

The typical (median) school in the council, set against the typical school in Wales.

FlintshireWales

Pupils eligible for free meals (3-year): 20.0%
18.6%
Pupils with additional learning needs: 11.1%
8.1%
Budget per pupil: £5,825
£5,801

Source: Welsh Government school census 2025/26 and school budgets 2026-27

What the numbers say about schools in Flintshire

At the typical school in Flintshire, 20.0% of pupils have been eligible for free school meals over the last three years, 1.4 points above the Welsh figure. Every primary pupil in Wales now gets a free lunch, so this measures eligibility, the usual guide to how disadvantaged an intake is. 11.1% of pupils at the typical school have additional learning needs (3.0 points above the Welsh figure). Schools here receive about £5,825 per pupil, close to the Welsh figure. Pupil numbers have fallen by 5.7% since 2020/21, which can mean spare places at some schools and pressure on budgets. The largest school is Mold Alun School, with 1,448 pupils.

None of these figures tells you whether a school is good. A school with a more disadvantaged intake can be doing outstanding work, and a small rural school with a high budget per pupil is often simply small. Use them to understand the setting, then read what Estyn wrote.

Every school in Flintshire

Schools not in Estyn follow-up first, then the most recently inspected. This is not a ranking by quality.

82 of 82 schools shown

Ysgol Yr Esgob
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales66 pupils16.9% free meals
No follow-up
Mountain Lane C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium442 pupils9.0% free meals
No follow-up
"Mountain Lane County Primary School is a vibrant and happy school that promotes pupils’ learning and well-being successfully." Estyn, June 2026
Ysgol Maes Hyfryd
FlintSpecialNot recorded131 pupils
No follow-up
"The school is a calm, caring and welcoming place where pupils feel safe, respected and valued." Estyn, May 2026
Hawarden High School
FlintshireSecondaryEnglish-medium1,157 pupils15.2% free meals
No follow-up
"Hawarden High School is an inclusive and welcoming community where leaders and staff place a strong emphasis on pupils’ well-being, aspiration and developing a sense of belonging." Estyn, March 2026
Ysgol Maes-Y-Felin
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium280 pupils55.5% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Maes Y Felin provides a caring and inclusive environment where pupils feel safe, valued and supported." Estyn, March 2026
Westwood Community Primary School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium191 pupils43.2% free meals
No follow-up
"School leaders create a highly inclusive community in which most pupils and families feel valued and supported." Estyn, February 2026
Ysgol Bryn Coch C.P.
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium603 pupils21.7% free meals
No follow-up
"At Ysgol Bryn Coch, pupils receive a significant level of care and respect." Estyn, February 2026
Ysgol Derwen
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium178 pupils6.3% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Derwen is a welcoming and vibrant school, where leaders implement a clear vision for the learning and well-being of all pupils." Estyn, February 2026
Ysgol Glanrafon
Sir Y FflintPrimaryWelsh-medium343 pupils7.6% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Glanrafon provides a caring and inclusive environment and plays a central role in its local community." Estyn, January 2026
St Mary's R.C. Primary School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic277 pupils25.5% free meals
No follow-up
"The headteacher has a clear vision for the school based on creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where all pupils are able to progress." Estyn, November 2025
Ysgol Y Llan, Whitford V.P.
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales79 pupils9.3% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Y Llan provides a secure and nurturing environment where pupils feel safe, valued, and ready to learn." Estyn, October 2025
St Johns the Baptist V.A. Primary School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales108 pupils
No follow-up
"Leaders and staff work diligently to create a school that is warm, welcoming, and supportive." Estyn, June 2025
The Haven
MoldNot recorded
No follow-up
Ysgol Gwenffrwd
Sir Y FflintPrimaryWelsh-medium107 pupils14.1% free meals
No follow-up
"Leaders have established a robust vision for the school which places a clear priority on promoting pupils’ well-being." Estyn, April 2025
Castell Alun High School
FlintshireSecondaryEnglish-medium1,299 pupils12.0% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Castell Alun is a welcoming and inclusive community which provides its pupils with valuable opportunities to develop as respectful and conscientious individuals." Estyn, March 2025
Merllyn C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium140 pupils34.3% free meals
No follow-up
"Merllyn C.P school is a happy, caring school, where the headteacher leads a team of staff effectively to secure exceptional support for pupils’ well-being and learning." Estyn, March 2025
Ven. Edward Morgan R.C. Primary School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic168 pupils20.5% free meals
No follow-up
"The Venerable Edward Morgan Roman Catholic Primary School, is a nurturing community- focused school where most pupils, including those with additional learn needs (ALN) and those eligible for free school meals, make good progress." Estyn, February 2025
Chestnut Hill
FlintshireNot recorded
No follow-up
"Chestnut Hill provides a nurturing and engaging learning environment where staff demonstrate high expectations and a deep understanding of pupils’ individual needs." Estyn, January 2025
Ysgol Bryn Garth
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium89 pupils41.5% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Bryn Garth is an inclusive and nurturing environment." Estyn, January 2025
Ysgol Ty Ffynnon
ShottonPrimaryEnglish-medium255 pupils21.4% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Ty Ffynnon is a nurturing and caring school with a strong community feel." Estyn, January 2025
Ysgol Bryn Pennant C.P.
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium103 pupils60.3% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Bryn Pennant Primary School is a caring and inclusive school, where staff know the pupils and families exceptionally well." Estyn, November 2024
Ysgol Rhos Helyg
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium76 pupils7.3% free meals
No follow-up
"The headteacher at Rhos Helyg Primary School prioritises pupils' well-being." Estyn, November 2024
Ysgol Y Rhos
TreuddynNot recorded
No follow-up
Ysgol Pen Coch
FlintSpecialNot recorded100 pupils
No follow-up
"The culture at Ysgol Pen Coch is securely rooted in the value of “every child, every chance, every day”." Estyn, November 2024
Ysgol Terrig
Sir Y FflintPrimaryWelsh-medium107 pupils9.2% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Terrig is an inclusive and close-knit community." Estyn, November 2024
Ysgol Owen Jones C.P.
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium120 pupils7.1% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Owen Jones is a nurturing and community-focused school where most pupils, including those with additional learning needs (ALN), make effective progress." Estyn, September 2024
Ysgol Gronant
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium71 pupils38.6% free meals
No follow-up
"Leaders and governors have brought together the schools of Ysgol Trelogan and Ysgol Gronant to form a successful federation of schools." Estyn, July 2024
Ysgol Gynradd Trelogan
Sir Y FflintPrimaryEnglish-medium47 pupils18.9% free meals
No follow-up
"Leaders and governors have brought together the schools of Ysgol Trelogan and Ysgol Gronant to form a successful federation of schools." Estyn, July 2024
Golftyn C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium349 pupils20.1% free meals
No follow-up
"Leaders, staff and governors at Golftyn Primary School provide a safe and stimulating environment for pupils." Estyn, June 2024
Ysgol Parc Y Llan
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium128 pupils29.2% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Parc Y Llan is a safe, happy and caring learning community where pupils thrive." Estyn, June 2024
Lixwm Church in Wales Voluntary Aided School
HolywellPrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales52 pupils
No follow-up
"Lixwm Church in Wales Voluntary Aided School joined with Ysgol Yr Esgob, Caerwys, to become the Bryniau Clwyd Federation in 2020." Estyn, May 2024
St Winefrides R.C. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic156 pupils36.2% free meals
No follow-up
"St Winefride’s Catholic Primary School is caring, nurturing and highly inclusive." Estyn, May 2024
St Richard Gwyn Roman Catholic High School
FlintSecondaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic742 pupils19.9% free meals
No follow-up
"At St. Richard Gwyn Catholic High School leaders and staff have nurtured a caring and inclusive environment with a strong community spirit." Estyn, April 2024
Greenfield C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium204 pupils43.9% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Maesglas is an inclusive and caring learning community where all pupils are nurtured and encouraged to prepare for their next steps in life through a family ethos." Estyn, April 2024
Hawarden Village Voluntary Aided C.I.W. Primary
DeesidePrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales373 pupils4.7% free meals
No follow-up
"The school’s support for pupils’ well-being is a strength, and as a result all pupils feel safe and respected." Estyn, April 2024
Mold Alun School
FlintshireSecondaryEnglish-medium1,448 pupils14.7% free meals
No follow-up
"Alun School is a caring and inclusive community where leaders prioritise pupils’ emotional well-being and promote a positive culture of safeguarding." Estyn, February 2024
Bryn Deva C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium290 pupils36.1% free meals
No follow-up
"Pupils and staff are proud of Ysgol Bryn Deva." Estyn, January 2024
Gwernymynydd C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium68 pupils12.2% free meals
No follow-up
"Leaders have brought two schools together as a safe and nurturing learning community where pupils feel valued and flourish in their development as caring citizens." Estyn, January 2024
Ysgol Treffynnon
FlintshireSecondaryEnglish-medium545 pupils32.2% free meals
No follow-up
"At Ysgol Treffynnon, staff are committed to ensuring the well-being of each individual pupil and this is at the heart of the school’s work ." Estyn, January 2024
Penarlag C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium159 pupils19.1% free meals
No follow-up
"Pupils who attend Penarlag Primary school receive a high level of care, support and respect." Estyn, December 2023
Ysgol Bryn Gwalia C.P.
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium143 pupils57.8% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Bryn Gwalia is a nurturing, inclusive school, which provides exceptional care and support for its pupils." Estyn, December 2023
Queens Ferry C.P. School
DeesidePrimaryEnglish-medium126 pupils48.4% free meals
No follow-up
"Queensferry Primary School is a happy, vibrant school where pupils thrive." Estyn, November 2023
Wepre C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium327 pupils9.2% free meals
No follow-up
"The headteacher, supported by the governing body, promotes a clear vision for all learners and staff based on ‘achievement through happiness’." Estyn, October 2023
Ysgol Gymraeg Croes Atti
Sir Y FflintPrimaryWelsh-medium289 pupils30.0% free meals
No follow-up
"Most pupils make sound progress in a range of skills during their time at Ysgol Croes Atti." Estyn, October 2023
Argoed High School
FlintshireSecondaryEnglish-medium650 pupils14.9% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Uwchradd Argoed is a close-knit and caring community." Estyn, September 2023
Cornist Park C.P. School
FlintPrimaryEnglish-medium244 pupils21.9% free meals
No follow-up
"Cornist Park CP School is a happy and caring community where pupils work and play together confidently." Estyn, June 2023
Ysgol Penyffordd
Near ChesterPrimaryEnglish-medium346 pupils4.4% free meals
No follow-up
"Nearly all pupils at Ysgol Penyffordd behave well, enjoy learning and feel proud of their school." Estyn, June 2023
Trelawnyd V.A. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales55 pupils18.8% free meals
No follow-up
"Trelawnyd Church in Wales School is a happy, caring and inclusive school where pupils work and play together confidently." Estyn, May 2023
Elfed High School
BuckleySecondaryEnglish-medium847 pupils20.8% free meals
No follow-up
"Elfed High School (EHS) achieves an effective balance between academic attainment and supporting the well-being of its pupils and staff." Estyn, April 2023
Nannerch Primary School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales37 pupils
No follow-up
"Nannerch Primary is a happy school where all pupils treat each other, staff and visitors with politeness and respect." Estyn, March 2023
Nercwys CIW Voluntary Aided Primary School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales13 pupils
No follow-up
"Nercwys Primary is a happy school where all pupils treat each other, staff and visitors with politeness and respect." Estyn, March 2023
Ysgol Cae'r Nant
Connah's QuayPrimaryEnglish-medium333 pupils18.2% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Cae’r Nant is a very caring and welcoming school." Estyn, February 2023
Ysgol Glan Aber C.P.
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium141 pupils48.7% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Glan Aber is a warm and inclusive school, which promotes a positive atmosphere and caring ethos successfully." Estyn, February 2023
Connah's Quay High School
FlintshireSecondaryEnglish-medium1,008 pupils23.5% free meals
No follow-up
"In recent years, the school has had a number of different headteachers in a short space of time." Estyn, January 2023
Gwynedd C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium473 pupils33.9% free meals
No follow-up
Brynford C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium84 pupils10.9% free meals
No follow-up
"Pupils enjoy their time at Ysgol Brynffordd very much." Estyn, December 2022
Ysgol Derwenfa
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium85 pupils43.3% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Derwenfa is a nurturing and hard-working school that places a high priority on the well-being of its staff and pupils." Estyn, December 2022
Sychdyn C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium155 pupils10.0% free meals
No follow-up
"Pupils make good progress from their starting points and develop worthwhile skills during their time at the school." Estyn, November 2022
Plas Derwen
DeesideNot recorded
No follow-up
"Flintshire Portfolio pupil referral unit ( PRU) is i n Queensferry and provides education for children and young people from 3 to 16 years old." Estyn, October 2022
Saltney Ferry C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium134 pupils49.0% free meals
No follow-up
"Saltney Ferry Primary School is a caring and supportive learning environment where pupils develop positive attitudes and an effective understanding of important characteristics for lifelong learning, such as independence and perseverance." Estyn, September 2022
Sandycroft C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium329 pupils24.3% free meals
No follow-up
"Pupils at Sandycroft CP School are very proud of their school and enjoy attending every day." Estyn, September 2022
Northop Hall C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium135 pupils9.1% free meals
No follow-up
"Northop Hall Primary School is a happy and nurturing learning community." Estyn, May 2022
Ysgol Mynydd Isa
MoldPrimaryEnglish-medium496 pupils10.4% free meals
No follow-up
"The school is a happy and welcoming community in which all pupils and staff feel valued." Estyn, May 2022
Abermorddu C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium162 pupils7.6% free meals
No follow-up
Broughton Primary School
BroughtonPrimaryEnglish-medium547 pupils12.8% free meals
No follow-up
Buckley Southdown C.P.
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium326 pupils21.1% free meals
No follow-up
Drury C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium134 pupils11.4% free meals
No follow-up
Ewloe Green C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium376 pupils10.1% free meals
No follow-up
Saltney Wood Memorial C.P. School
ChesterPrimaryEnglish-medium170 pupils37.6% free meals
No follow-up
Sealand C.P. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium215 pupils50.7% free meals
No follow-up
St Anthony's R.C. Primary School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic49 pupils34.8% free meals
No follow-up
St David's R.C. School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic59 pupils25.0% free meals
No follow-up
St Ethelwold's Primary School
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales85 pupils36.6% free meals
No follow-up
Ysgol Bro Carmel
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium163 pupils7.9% free meals
No follow-up
Ysgol Estyn C.P.
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium221 pupils12.6% free meals
No follow-up
Ysgol Gymraeg Mornant
Sir Y FflintPrimaryWelsh-medium56 pupils17.3% free meals
No follow-up
Ysgol Maes Garmon
Sir Y FflintSecondaryWelsh-medium557 pupils13.9% free meals
No follow-up
Ysgol Tan Y Gaer
WrexhamNot recorded
No follow-up
Ysgol Y Foel
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium38 pupils
No follow-up
Ysgol Y Waun
FlintshirePrimaryEnglish-medium56 pupils18.0% free meals
No follow-up
Flint High School
FlintshireSecondaryEnglish-medium705 pupils28.2% free meals
Special measures
"In recent years, the senior leadership team has failed to provide Flint High School with adequate leadership." Estyn, November 2025
St David's High School
FlintshireSecondaryEnglish-medium393 pupils36.3% free meals
Special measures
"St David’s High School is an inclusive caring community with a clear focus on equity and supporting pupils’ well-being." Estyn, May 2025

Choosing and applying for a school in Flintshire

Start with Estyn. Its report on each school is short, plain and recent, and the recommendations at the end tell you what the inspectors want to see improve. A school in special measures or in need of significant improvement is being revisited, and some turn round quickly, so check the date and read what has changed. Then visit: an hour in a school tells you more about how it feels than any figure.

Decide early whether you want Welsh-medium education. Every school in Wales teaches Welsh to 16, but a Welsh-medium school teaches most lessons through Welsh, and children from English-speaking homes join from nursery and reception every year. Moving between the two later is harder, so the choice usually matters most at the start of primary school.

Applications for community schools go to Flintshire council, not the school; voluntary aided church schools can run their own admissions, so check each one. Welsh councils set their own closing dates and most give priority to children living in a school's catchment area, so check which catchment your address falls in before you rank your choices. If you are applying for a secondary place, look at the feeder primaries too: many Flintshire secondaries take most of their pupils from a named group of primary schools.

Questions parents ask about schools in Flintshire

How many schools are there in Flintshire?

Flintshire has 82 open schools on School Signal, including 64 primary and 11 secondary schools, teaching about 21,813 pupils (school census 2025/26).

Which schools in Flintshire are in Estyn follow-up?

2 schools are in Estyn follow-up: Flint High School (special measures), St David's High School (special measures). Follow-up means Estyn returns to check progress; it is worth reading the report before ruling a school in or out.

How many Welsh-medium schools are there in Flintshire?

6 schools in Flintshire teach mainly through Welsh and 0 teach in both languages - 7% of the council's schools, against 30% across Wales. You don't need to speak Welsh at home for your child to attend one.

Is there a school league table for Flintshire?

No. Wales stopped publishing school league tables and Estyn no longer gives schools an overall grade, so any "top ten" list for Flintshire is someone's own judgement. Compare Estyn's reports, the language of teaching and how far you are from each school instead.

Sources: Estyn inspection reports (Crown copyright, quoted with acknowledgement); Welsh Government school census and school budget data, Open Government Licence v3.0.